CAMROSE, Alta. — Rachel Homan is one win away from qualifying for the playoffs at the Meridian Canadian Open.
The reigning world champion and soon-to-be Olympian earned back-to-back victories Wednesday to reach the A finals of the triple knockout preliminary round.
Homan trumped American teams for both wins defeating Jamie Sinclair 7-2 followed by Winter Games representative Nina Roth 7-1 in only six ends during consecutive afternoon draws.
“Really great wins by my team,” said Homan, who has won six Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling titles including the 2015 Meridian Canadian Open. “The ice was great and we’re just trying to learn as much as we can. The score was a little lopsided but they played well and just missed a couple shots here and there.”
The Ottawa native Homan had two in her pocket in the second but threw her last a little too heavy to miss an opportunity to add one more point. After forcing Roth to a single in three, Homan had an opportunity to score a deuce in four but was short on the draw this time and a measurement just to be sure only gave her one point.
Homan gained some separation on the scoreboard stealing three in the fifth and made a sizzling triple takeout with her last in the sixth to sit three and set up another steal as Roth clipped the top one and gave up another point.
Team Homan had a special guest Tuesday as country music star Brett Kissel joined them on the ice for a demonstration. Homan said it was fun to show him the ropes of curling.
“It was his first time out and he looked great,” Homan said with a smile. “He watches it a lot, I know he cheers us on and we love his music so it was a great combo.”
Canadian country music artist Brett Kissel learned to curl with Team Homan on Tuesday ahead of the Meridian Canadian Open. (Anil Mungal)
[relatedlinks]
Homan’s A final opponent is Winnipeg’s Kerri Einarson, who doubled up on Anna Hasselborg of Sweden 8-4.
Michelle Englot’s Winnipeg team moved onto the second A final scoring two in the fifth and stealing singles in six and seven to top Edmonton’s Laura Crocker 7-3.
Toronto’s John Epping edged American John Shuster 6-5 to move into the A finals on the men’s side. The 2015 Meridian Canadian Open champion is also 2-0 against skips with the same first name as him after defeating John Morris on Tuesday night.
“It’s awesome anytime you can give yourself three chances now to qualify and go through the A, B or C final,” Epping said. “We’re just really happy. We played well today and controlled the whole game right from the start. It was nice.”
Switzerland’s Peter de Cruz also climbed into the A finals with a 5-3 win over Brad Gushue of St. John’s, N.L.
Sixteen of the top men’s teams and 16 of the top women’s team from around the world are competing in the fourth tournament — and third major — of the 2017-18 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling season.
The Meridian Canadian Open features a triple knockout preliminary format where teams must win three games before they lose three in order to qualify for the weekend playoffs. Eight teams in both divisions advance.
The action resumes with Draw 6 at 8 p.m. MT.
NOTES: Winners of the Meridian Canadian Open earn berths to the season-ending Humpty’s Champions Cup running April 24-29 at Calgary’s WinSport Arena. … Points are also up for grabs for the Bonus Cup, awarded to the overall season champions. … Television coverage begins Thursday at 2 p.m. ET on Sportsnet. Also watch online at Sportsnet NOW (Canada) or gsoc.yaretv.com (international).